Calls for national approach to disabled institutional abuse

The Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, says there needs to be a national approach to dealing with abuse in institutions for people with disabilities. He warns the problem could escalate if it's not dealt with as the National Disability Insurance Scheme comes in.

Transcript

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TONY EASTLEY: Australia's disability discrimination commissioner Graeme Innes says there needs to be a national approach to the abuse of disabled people in care.

Disability groups say physical and sexual abuse is rampant in the system. Mr Innes says he agrees there is not enough training for carers and there's a culture of cover-up.

He's told AM it's a problem which could escalate if it's not tackled with the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

With more here's Simon Lauder.

SIMON LAUDER: The ABC's Lateline program has highlighted several cases of disabled people being abused in care. The program spoke to the sister of a woman who was allegedly raped repeatedly by her male carer.

SISTER OF DISABLED WOMAN: I'm suffering, my sister is suffering. We are waiting for an answer but nothing is happening.

SIMON LAUDER: Peter Curotte says his son has been abused over many years in care.

PETER CUROTTE: My son has been violated, my son has been beaten and my son has been neglected.

SIMON LAUDER: Victoria's public advocate Colleen Pearce says it's a largely hidden problem because a person with a disability often isn't taken seriously.

COLLEEN PEARCE: For far too long people with a disability have been isolated, marginalised and vulnerable to human rights abuses and in my view they are the last frontier. We've seen changes in aged care and child care and these must be replicated in disability services.

GRAEME INNES: Well there's been a growing concern about the level of violence against people with disabilities in institutional settings.

SIMON LAUDER: The disability discrimination commissioner Graeme Innes says the issue of abuse in institutional care for disabled people is one he's taking a close look at, particularly as the National Disability Insurance Scheme takes shape.

GRAEME INNES: A national approach is necessary. I think we need to recognise the level of disempowerment of people with disability in these settings and ensure that there are constant safeguards and independent reviews.

SIMON LAUDER: What should a national approach consider?

GRAEME INNES: Means of reporting and mandatory reporting of any awareness of violence is certainly a system that needs to come into play.

But there also needs to be contact by other people in the community, by independent people with people with disability in these sorts of settings to ensure that these sorts of processes aren't occurring or to stop them if they are.

And I think there needs to be better staff training and better staff awareness of the needs and the rights of people with disability.

SIMON LAUDER: Do you think there is a culture of cover-up in some areas?

GRAEME INNES: In some areas, yes I do and that's very concerning. But that's the only conclusion you can draw when you see ongoing instances of violence that have been reported. And you see them reported in different places around the country. It's not just a one-off event or one-off set of events.

SIMON LAUDER: What are the risks if this isn't tackled head-on before the NDIS is introduced?

GRAEME INNES: I guess the risks are that this sort of activity will continue and escalate and that's a very serious risk for people with disability and for the families of people with disability.